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Gualala Arts
Promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961.
Archive of past events: 2004 through 2014
6 Blue EyesDonna Fay Allen, Susan L-Nikel and Judy Yemma
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Gualala Arts will have a free exhibit titled "6 Blue Eyes," alternative photographic images by Donna Fay Allen, Susan L-Nikel and Judy Yemma from the opening September 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. through October 5.
The show is a collection of photographic images, which utilize innovative and historic techniques such as Cyanotype, Van Dyke Brown and Kallitype. The three women photographers demonstrate a collaboration of effort and love for handcrafted art while maintaining an independence of vision. The images are all unique due to the nature of the process and some are truly one of a kind.
More about Donna Fay AllenDonna Fay Allen is a Northern California photographer whose work has been recognized by being accepted into the 73rd Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition in 2002; being juried into the California Fine Arts Competition in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006 receiving three Awards of Merit and two Awards of Excellence; by receiving First Place Color Photography award from the Roseville Arts Center in 1999; and by being juried into the KVIE Art Auction in 2003, 2004 and 2005, receiving 2 Honorable Mention Awards. She has exhibited her photographs at galleries and museums throughout northern California, and her work has been published in two books and explored on an episode of "California Chronicles" on Sacramento's Public Television station KVIE. The diversity of techniques and materials which can be explored, have made photography the medium Donna chooses for creating fine art images. Black and white silver gelatin prints can be altered and enhanced through toning, tinting and application of color. Archaic processes such as Van Dyke Brown & cyanotype allow the printing of photographs on textural art papers or other substrates. Polaroid SX-70 manipulations, image and emulsion transfers allow a more intimate relationship between the artist, image and materials, and constructing and using pinhole cameras allows the photographer to be involved in every aspect of image creation. More about Judy Yemma
Photography has been a strong interest for me through most of my life. From the moment my parents gave me a Girl Scout Brownie camera when I was 11 years old, I have been amazed by the idea of capturing a moment - freezing time and taking it with me to keep and revisit.' Photography is now my medium of choice. Often, for me image capture is a celebration of artistic potential. I am particularly attracted to curved lines and shapes, to the restful and serene, to the emotion of an image, and to the potential of putting my own twist on an image. The subjects in my images, like my interests, are varied but lean strongly to the organic. I find inspiration in both simple and complex compositions - sometimes manipulating these compositions, or not.' Working with historical photographic processes, such as Platinum/Palladium, Cyanotype and VanDyke, allows me to use hand-applied techniques that connect me to my roots as a painter. The final prints become unique with some being truly one of a kind." More about Susan L-Nikel
A little over 10 years ago Susan got serious about photography by methodically learning the craft of the fine B&W print. She has won an Award of Excellence at the California State Fair and her work has been shown in multiple exhibits in and around the Sacramento Valley. Susan's current body of work uses photographic emulsions that were originally developed in the 1800's. These hands-on processes allow for the transformation of her film and digital images into timeless art that taps into her heart. Her imagery has two different bases: the first are images from her travels to France, Italy, Holland, England and Iran, thematically grouped around beauty created by humans. The other set of imagery is her series titled "Messages from the Ocean," which will speak for themselves. All of them are expressions of her fun, joyous spirit and a way to share the beauty to be found in our world. Hopefully you too will experience the pure delight of these creations.
The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA, |
Judy says, "The visual arts have always been part of my life. I credit my mother, who was an accomplished painter and sculptor, with opening my eyes and my mind to seeing and thinking in creative ways. I chose to continue my creative exploration through college, earning a degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting and ceramics.'
Susan is an award winning fine art photographer whose favorite traveling partner is her camera. It all started on her first trip to Europe at the impressionable age of 12; a mind opening experience to lives, habits & views of other people. She came home with many life-changing memories and a blue ribbon winning photo of a Scottish Highland Cow standing in the ruins of a stone cottage.